Things to do in Airlie Beach

Things to do in  Airlie Beach

Any given Whitsunday

It's well worth lingering in the Queensland coastal town of Airlie Beach, best known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. Soak up the year-round tropical weather on palm-fringed beaches and dine in charming alfresco restaurants; embark on a day trip or overnight cruise to the Whitsundays; or get a bird’s-eye view of the reef on a scenic flight. Another popular thing to do in Airlie Beach is explore the tropical rain forest and waterfalls in nearby Conway National Park.

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Top 4 attractions in Airlie Beach

#1

Heart Reef

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Off the coast of Queensland, the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. The portion called Hardy Reef is perhaps the most popular with visitors thanks to its postcard-perfect Heart Reef—which, true to the name, is heart-shaped.More
Tours & Tickets
#2

Shute Harbour

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Shute Harbour is a center of transit for visitors to the Whitsunday Islands. Amazingly for such a low-population area, the harbor is actually Australia's second busiest commuter port. Although there’s a small village here, the vast majority of tourists simply pass through town on their way to catch a ferry or a cruise around the islands.More
Tours & Tickets
#3

Whitsunday Crocodile Safari

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The Whitsunday Crocodile Safari offers you the opportunity to see saltwater crocodiles in their natural environment as you cruise around the estuaries and wetlands between the Whitsunday coast and the Proserpine River. There are about 150 of the 'salties' living in the estuaries, so keep your camera ready - the chances of a sighting are good.As well as croc-spotting, you can keep an eye out for the many other kinds of native wildlife that live in these parts - birds, reptiles, marine creatures and mammals. In addition to the cruise through the estuaries, you'll be taken on a tractor-drawn wagon train ride through the Goorganga Wetlands and through melaleuca forest and mangrove systems.Your guides provide commentary and 'bush tucker' - damper (a kind of simple bread) and billy tea, cooked over a fire. They'll also try to catch you a mud crab so they can show you its features before releasing it back into the river.More
Tours & Tickets
#4
Reefworld Pontoon

Reefworld Pontoon

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A popular and convenient spot for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Reefworld consists of two giant pontoons floating over sheltered Hardy Reef—one of the thousands of small reefs that make up the Barrier Reef. From here, you can snorkel and dive year round and discover the colorful corals and abundant marine life that call these waters home.More

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Itineraries for your Airlie Beach trip

Top activities in Airlie Beach

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise
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Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

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2254
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$147.98
Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout
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Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout

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$133.85
Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise to Reefworld

Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise to Reefworld

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486
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$207.84
Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises

Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises

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325
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$97.53
Scenic Flight over Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, GBR

Scenic Flight over Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, GBR

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$214.57
Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach Tour: Beaches, Lookouts and Snorkel

Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach Tour: Beaches, Lookouts and Snorkel

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$154.03
2-Day Great Barrier Reef: Reefsleep Experience

2-Day Great Barrier Reef: Reefsleep Experience

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155
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$450.66
1-Hour Whitsunday Islands and Heart Reef Scenic Flight
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1-Hour Whitsunday Islands and Heart Reef Scenic Flight

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$194.39
Camira Sailing Adventure through Whitsunday Islands

Camira Sailing Adventure through Whitsunday Islands

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$154.03
Fly Raft Package: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkel and Scenic Flight
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Fly Raft Package: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkel and Scenic Flight

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$342.37
Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island Cruise from Airlie Beach

Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island Cruise from Airlie Beach

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$134.53
Whitsundays Guided Jet Ski Tour

Whitsundays Guided Jet Ski Tour

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$87.11
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Trip: Chill and Grill

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Day Trip: Chill and Grill

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$168.16
Whitsunday Crocodile Safari from Airlie Beach including Lunch

Whitsunday Crocodile Safari from Airlie Beach including Lunch

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$100.89
Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour
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Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour

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$59.86
Premium Whitsunday Islands Sail, SUP & Snorkel Day Tour
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Premium Whitsunday Islands Sail, SUP & Snorkel Day Tour

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$147.98
2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

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$355.82
Matador Whitsundays

Matador Whitsundays

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$302.68
Airlie Beach Jet Boat Thrill Ride

Airlie Beach Jet Boat Thrill Ride

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$59.86
Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service

Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service

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$28.25
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All about Airlie Beach

When to visit

Blessed by a subtropical climate, Airlie Beach is great to visit at any time of year. It is also a particularly appealing winter escape; while more southern areas of Australia are feeling the chill, Airlie Beach enjoys some of its best weather from June through September. This period is also the best time to spot migrating humpback whales. The town can get very busy during the country’s three-week school holiday in September and early October, so avoid that window if you don’t like crowds.

Getting around

Airlie Beach is compact, and you can reach most attractions and services by foot. A public bus connects the town with Prosperpine and Shute Harbour, and you can also see more of the area by booking a tuk-tuk tour. If you’re arriving by plane, you’ll want to book a shuttle service to reach your hotel. Airlie Beach is also the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands; the departure points for tours to the archipelago are located in the town center or very nearby.

Traveler tips

While most visitors use Airlie Beach as a base for sailing trips around the Whitsunday Islands, there’s plenty of natural beauty to see on the mainland, too. Head to Conway National Park, just south of town, to explore multiple hiking trails, swaths of ancient rainforest, mangroves, and secluded beaches and to look for wildlife, including paradise kingfishers and the Proserpine rock-wallaby. Guided tours departing from Airlie Beach offer a convenient way to see it all.

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People Also Ask

What is Airlie Beach known for?

Airlie Beach is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the main port for ferries and cruises to Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays. The lively seaside town also has renowned nightlife, white sand beaches, and accommodation options for everyone from backpackers to luxury travelers.

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How do I spend a day in Airlie Beach?

With just one day in Airlie Beach, most travelers opt for a day trip to Hamilton Island and the Whitsunday Islands. For the ultimate experience, include a seaplane or helicopter flight over Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef, and then cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef to swim and snorkel.

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Can you swim at Airlie Beach?

Yes, Airlie Beach has two beaches—Airlie Beach and Boathaven Beach—both a short walk from the town center. The rocky shores of Airlie Beach are better suited for sunbathing than swimming, and Boathaven Beach has white sands and a summer swimming area complete with a stinger net.

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What is there to do in Airlie Beach at night?

Renowned as one of Queensland’s party capitals, Airlie Beach has a buzzing nightlife and a lively backpacker scene. Bars, restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs line the main street, Shute Harbour Road, where you can spend the night sipping happy hour cocktails, tucking into tapas, and dancing into the early hours.

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How long is the ferry from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island?

Ferries from Airlie Beach take about 60 minutes to reach Hamilton Island (depending on weather conditions). Up to nine passenger ferries depart daily from the Port of Airlie Marina, arriving at Hamilton Island Marina. Ferries also depart from Shute Harbour (just south of Airlie Beach), taking around 35 minutes.

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Is Airlie Beach worth visiting?

Yes, Airlie Beach is the closest ferry port to explore the lower Great Barrier Reef or cruise out to Hamilton Island and the Whitsunday Islands. Not to mention it has white sand beaches, buzzing nightlife, and the rainforest hiking trails of the Conway National Park right on its doorstep.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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